We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Amanda Lockrow a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Amanda, appreciate you joining us today. Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?
I am one hundred percent happier as a business owner. I have had regular jobs that I learned so much at and am so glad that I had them. I was always working on my business on the side with these jobs. Running a business has changed so much since I officially started mine in 2007. Recently I even went through the interview process to work at an amazing company. I felt exhausted by all the changes with running my business, with trying to stay afloat during covid and with two different rounds of so many of the shops who carry my work closing. I felt overwhelmed by making the math add up with costs of doing business and materials rising.
I’m grateful I went through this process because it made it clearer than ever just how much I love creating jewelry. I love the connection my work creates between me and my clients. I’m working on realigning things in my business, so that I can have creative time to keep me energized and excited. I made a note on my phone to remind me of everything I love about what I do. When I get stressed out and think about getting regular job again I plan to go back to this list. If I can focus on everything I have because of being my own boss that can hopefully help me from spiraling in to the quicksand of fear and lack.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I’m Amanda and I have been creating jewelry ever since I took my first metalsmithing class in 2000. I fell in love with working with metal and it has been my passion ever since. Starting a business just happened when I graduated college and moved out to Los Angeles. I set up a bench in my apartment and started selling at shows when I wasn’t working my day job. I set up an Etsy shop in 2007 so I had a way for people to find me online. I love learning new things so I dove into learning how to run a business and all about crystals and stones.
My work is all handcrafted here in Los Angeles in small batches. My clients love the quality and meaning behind every piece. My love of crystals and stones led me to become a reiki practitioner and meditation teacher. The best compliment I receive is when someone tells me how a piece supported them or a loved one through the highs and lows of life. My jewelry has been a part of celebrations as well as providing comfort through chemo treatments and grief. I am so proud that the jewelry I create with my two hands has been a part of births, anniversaries, birthdays, weddings, graduations, engagements, dream jobs, world travels and so much more.
I also love working with my retailers and hearing how my work resonates with their clients. It’s such a treat when I stop into these boutiques and enjoy how thoughtfully they display my work and then find the perfect gift for myself or a friend. In the age of Amazon, it’s so important that we remember to support local independently-owned shops.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
I think it’s really important not to get caught up in the numbers on social media. I have friends with huge followings who still experience really low engagement. I can have a post or reel on Instagram that barely gets any likes or comments, but I will get a dm or email asking about the piece. I just keep showing up on socials and answering questions for anyone who has them. The algorithms are always changing, so the best advice I’ve received is to stay consistent. I also love using a scheduling app to plan out posts for busier times of the year.
We’d really appreciate if you could talk to us about how you figured out the manufacturing process.
A part of running my business was finding a casting house. I asked around and got a few recommendations and then I tried them out. Over the years I’ve tried other casters out and some had better rates but they weren’t reliable in their quality or their turnaround times. If the prices are lower but they were rude or difficult to work with I just took my business elsewhere. Years ago I decided I would rather pay more and be able to trust the people I work with and I actually enjoy working with them. I have suppliers I have worked with for 15+ years and I value those relationships so deeply. Because I am an energy worker having good energy throughout my supply chain is more important than getting the cheapest price.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://amandaklockrow.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amandaklockrow/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@amandaklockrow
- Other: email [email protected]
Image Credits
STK Photo, Liz Kantner, Elina Lewis, Danny by the Sea